薬くすり

noun

medicine; pharmaceutical; drug

General term for medicinal substances: pills, ointments, and other pharmaceuticals. Can refer to both prescription and over-the-counter products.

• 風邪かぜをひいたので、薬くすりを飲のんだ。

  I caught a cold, so I took some medicine.

• この薬くすりは一いち日にち三さん回かい食しょく後ごに服ふく用ようしてください。

  Please take this medicine three times a day after meals.

noun

chemical agent; efficacious substance

Refers to chemicals with a specific effect, such as gunpowder, pesticides, or other functional compounds. Often used in compound words.

• 火か薬やくは薬くすりの一いっ種しゅとも言いえる。

  Gunpowder can be considered a kind of chemical agent.

• この殺さっ虫ちゅう剤ざいは強きょう力りょくな薬くすりを使つかっている。

  This insecticide uses a powerful chemical.

noun

glaze; pottery glaze

Specialized term in pottery for the glassy coating applied to ceramics.

• この茶ちゃ碗わんの薬くすりは美うつくしい青あお色いろをしている。

  The glaze on this tea bowl is a beautiful blue color.

noun

illegal drug; narcotic

Specifically refers to illicit substances. Often written in katakana as クスリ in this sense.

See also: 薬 (やく)

• 彼かれはクスリに手てを出だして捕つかまった。

  He got involved with drugs and was arrested.

noun

small bribe; sweetener

Figurative use meaning a small bribe or inducement. Often appears in the phrase 鼻薬 (はなぐすり), literally 'nose medicine', meaning a bribe.

See also: 鼻薬

• 役やく人にんに鼻はな薬ぐすりを嗅かがせて許きょ可かをもらったらしい。

  It seems he got permission by giving the official a small bribe.